Amgen presents new drug data at ASBMR 2013

Amgen has shared its latest drug development insights in the field of bone health at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) annual meeting in Baltimore.

During the conference, the company presented findings from a phase II study of romosozumab, a drug it is developing alongside UCB, which has been shown to be associated with significant increases in volumetric bone mineral density.

Meanwhile, 19 abstracts focused on the approved therapy Prolia, including several on long-term safety and efficacy data from the open-label extension study of a pivotal phase III fracture trial for up to eight years.

Amgen is developing several therapies for the treatment of osteoporosis, a serious condition that causes significant pain to patients while incurring considerable healthcare costs.

Dr Sean Harper, executive vice-president of research and development at Amgen, said: "Amgen has led nearly a decade of clinical work in bone biology and, with fracture rates on the rise, we remain committed to advancing medicines that help treat bone disease."

This comes after the firm announced the completion of its takeover of Onyx Pharmaceuticals earlier this week.